The emergence of a new player in the Lázaro Cárdenas port ecosystem is beginning to take shape following the awarding of one of the most discreet—yet strategic—projects of recent years. Porter Holding , through its subsidiary Porter Lázaro Cárdenas , won the bid to develop and operate a Multi-Purpose Terminal (TUM) which, although simplistically referred to as a “coastal shipping dock,” actually represents a much broader undertaking within the port area.

The process, initiated in February 2025 by the Lázaro Cárdenas National Port System Administration (Asipona) , concluded on August 21 of the same year with the award in favor of the group, while the contract was signed on January 26, 2026. The agreement includes a partial transfer of rights for 19 years over an area of ​​approximately 204,000 square meters, where a terminal will be developed with the capacity to handle coastal shipping, mineral bulk, and general cargo.

According to information from the Proyectos México platform, behind Porter Lázaro Cárdenas are identified related companies such as Grupo Regio Cal, SA de CV , Porter Dos Bocas, SA de CV and Teds Latam, SA de CV , which suggests a corporate structure that combines experience in industrial, logistics and energy sectors , aligned with the logic of asset integration that characterizes the group.

The project timeline also outlines a clear path for its completion. The handover of the area will take place within 120 days of the contract signing, that is, no later than May 26, 2026. Subsequently, construction must begin within 90 days of the approval of the final project design by the General Directorate of Ports of the Secretariat of the Navy , while operations are scheduled to commence within 730 days of the area’s handover, with an estimated deadline of May 25, 2028.

Although in public discourse the project has been directly linked to the promotion of cabotage—a policy that has gained prominence on the national logistics agenda since the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, albeit without much success —its design reveals a different operational logic. The inclusion of multiple types of cargo suggests that cabotage, on its own, does not yet offer sufficient scale to sustain a profitable port operation, and therefore it is integrated with other segments that allow for revenue diversification and maximize the use of the infrastructure.

This reading becomes more relevant when observing the recent performance of the port itself: during 2025, Lázaro Cárdenas handled 2,998,664 tons in cabotage activities , just 0.3% more than in 2024, according to statistics from the port authority, mainly concentrated in general cargo, mineral bulk, oil and derivatives, as well as other fluids.

This distinction is significant considering that the coastal shipping dock in Lázaro Cárdenas had been completed since 2024 but remained unoperational precisely because of the lack of an assigned operator. The tender that Porter won today not only unlocks this asset but also integrates it into a more comprehensive logistics platform , aligned with the current needs of regional trade.

Porter Holding’s entry into the Michoacán port should also be interpreted in terms of positioning. Until now, the port has been dominated by large container operators such as APM Terminals and Hutchison Ports , focused on transpacific trade. In contrast, the new TUM is targeting less visible but growing segments: industrial cargo, regional shipments, and supply chains linked to nearshoring .

In this context, Porter’s move involves not only operating a terminal, but also the possibility of integrating logistics infrastructure with other sectors where the group already has a presence, particularly in energy and project development. If this integration materializes, the company could transition from being an asset developer to an operator with a direct impact on Mexican foreign trade flows .

Thus, what began as a project perceived as “parsimonious” within the port is now shaping a quiet shift in the landscape of stakeholders in Lázaro Cárdenas . The key will lie not only in the commissioning of the coastal shipping pier, but also in Porter’s ability to transform this concession into a logistics platform that responds to—and capitalizes on—the new dynamics of trade in Mexico.

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El cargo Porter Holding wins Multipurpose Terminal in Lázaro Cárdenas apareció primero en T21.

On October 15, 2025, the Guaymas National Port System Administration (Asipona) formalized a partial rights transfer agreement with SSA Marine México for the operation of a Multipurpose Terminal (TUM) within the port area . The port authority views this milestone as the starting point for raising “new standards of port competitiveness,” supported by the start of operations and the installation of two container cranes in the first phase.

The announcement does not come in a vacuum: it is preceded by the Public Call ASIPONA/GUAYMAS/01/25 published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) in May and June 2025, whose purpose includes “building, equipping, and operating a multipurpose, public-use terminal,” aligned with the Guaymas Port Master Development Program 2022-2027 . The formalization of the contract confirms that the process has advanced from regulatory intent to operational execution.

Why does it matter for the logistics chain?

Guaymas is well positioned geographically: proximity to the northern border, access to the Gulf of California, and a hinterland with industries in Sonora and Baja California. The TUM diversifies the operational mix (container, general cargo, automotive potential) , which can reduce transportation costs, shorten transit times, and deconcentrate flows currently more associated with the large hubs of the Mexican Pacific (Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas). If the announced infrastructure is installed as planned, the port could capture regional traffic and serve as a relief valve for bottlenecks at other nodes.

The technological component—the two announced container cranes—aims for the first phase not only to meet current demand but also to prepare the port for larger vessels and volumes. In competitive terms, this lever is key for shipping lines and cargo owners to perceive sufficient productivity and certainty to divert or originate flows via Guaymas.

Signs of an active port calendar

In parallel with the TUM contract, the Guaymas port authority has moved other pieces: new calls for bids for services and terminals—for example, bulk-minerals (ASIPONA/GUAYMAS/GRANELES-MINERALES/02/25) and port maneuvers (ASIPONA/GUAYMAS/MANIOBRAS/03/25)—with on-site sales bases and specific terms. This reveals a pipeline of bids that can accelerate the critical mass of services around the port if they secure the right operators.

What’s still missing on the table (and will define the real impact)

Bidding terms, amounts, and schedules: Although the call for proposals is certified in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) and Asipona confirmed the contract with SSA, there is no simple public access to the complete bidding documents (bidding terms, prospectuses, and technical annexes with investment amounts, capacity targets, guarantees, and penalties). For decision-makers (shippers, forwarders , shipping companies), these details are crucial.

Land/rail connectivity: The port’s advantage is only realized if road and rail links flow without bottlenecks. The scheduling of works and coordination with road transport/rail will be the deciding factor between promise and performance.

Starting curve: Effective crane installation, operational readiness, and attracting scheduled services will make the difference between an administrative event and a structural change in the North Pacific route.

The signing with SSA is a positive indicator: it associates Guaymas with an operator with experience in Mexico and the region. However, without full transparency of the terms and conditions and commitments—especially capacity targets and execution times—the market will continue to interpret the project with caution . The window of opportunity is open: port diversification, reduced logistical risk, and greater resilience for the Northwest. The challenge now is to turn paper into productivity and narrative into operational reliability, with verifiable dates, investments, and performance.

SSA Marine México has been operating in Mexico since 1995, establishing itself as one of the country’s leading port operators, with a presence in key ports such as Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Tuxpan, Veracruz, Cozumel, and others.

The company offers a diversified range of services —with container terminals, general cargo, automobiles, and cruises— allowing it to serve both cargo and tourism trade, and responding to the country’s growing logistics sector.

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El cargo SSA Marine Mexico wins the new North Pacific terminal apareció primero en T21.

The port and logistics services provider, Grupo CICE , seeks to restructure all its applications, taking advantage of its most recent project, the Semi-Specialized Container and Cargo Terminal Project in the North Bay of the port of Veracruz , in which it aims to optimize processes, improve the customer experience and increase operational efficiency through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and in the cloud with the implementation of Oracle tools .

In an interview with T21 , Genaro Méndez , IT director of Grupo CICE, recalled that the company has relied on Oracle since 2000, starting with databases and development tools. “We stayed that way for many years, but recently, with the North Bay project, we’re looking to restructure all of our applications,” he explained.

This change aims to create a more intuitive environment for its executives and customers, who interact with online systems.

The adoption of Oracle’s cloud infrastructure, known as OCI, is key to this transition, since, according to the executive, this technology allows us to “place our applications in the cloud, which has given us the opportunity to have high availability and be completely flexible.”

One of the most notable advances is the integration of tools such as Document Understanding , which uses AI to automatically analyze documents.

“It allows for a review of the documents submitted by clients for the release of import cargo or the reservation of warehouses for export,” the executive explained, adding that this system streamlines procedures and reduces the dependence on manual reviews.

Another CICE goal is to implement AI to coordinate container pickup appointments. “We want customers to have a pre-assigned appointment, so that when they arrive, the container is already ready,” Méndez said.

This measure will not only benefit users but will also optimize operations by avoiding unnecessary cargo movements.

Modernization has also generated significant savings. Previously, scheduling services required up to eight representatives at the counter; today, one person is sufficient. “Over 90% of our customers access services requests and scheduling online,” he emphasized.

The relationship with Oracle has evolved over time, Méndez recalled, adding that in 2011, Grupo CICE implemented Oracle’s ERP , automating administrative processes.

“A supplier enters our portal, uploads their invoice, and it’s automatically sent to us for payment,” he explained, illustrating how technology streamlines internal operations.

This automation also benefits customers . When a service such as container delivery is performed, “we immediately issue the invoice,” providing timely documentation for collection. This approach strengthens trust in the logistics chain.

The North Bay project aims to ensure efficient operations to manage the new terminal without multiplying resources, through the use of technology and a balance between personnel and advanced tools.

Méndez emphasized the impact on customer experience, as they seek to provide better tools so they can schedule services quickly, upload documents, and avoid having to wait for manual reviews.

The reduction in staff at the counters is a tangible reflection of the change. From a “pilgrimage” through offices to an almost completely digital process, the CICE Group has optimized its human and financial resources.

The partnership with Oracle, which began more than 20 years ago, has been strengthened with comprehensive solutions, highlighting the flexibility of this collaboration.

In 2024, the port of Veracruz added 32 million 905 thousand 033 tons of merchandise operated , according to information from the port authority, and this same port handled one million 301 thousand 470 20-foot containers (TEU) last year, which meant 12.3% more than in 2023.

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El cargo CICE Group seeks to streamline resources at its new Veracruz terminal with technology apareció primero en T21.

Grupo CICE , a provider of port and logistics services, is in the final stages of construction of its Semi-Specialized Container and Cargo Terminal Project in the North Bay of the port of Veracruz, where it has invested just over seven billion pesos.

The company indicated that last Thursday, as a preamble, state and port authorities and CICE executives toured the construction area of ​​the terminal .

Among them were the Governor of Veracruz, Rocío Nahle , accompanied by Admiral Abraham Eloy Caballero Rosas, General Director of the National Port System Administration (Asipona) Veracruz , Ernesto Pérez Astorga, Secretary of Economic and Port Development, Alfonso Díaz de Vega, President of the Board of Directors of Grupo CICE, Leoncio Pérez López, General Director of Grupo CICE and other executives of the group.

According to a press release from Grupo CICE, Nahle said that Veracruz is the first port in Mexico and projects like this strengthen investment and job creation.

Last year, the port of Veracruz handled 32 million 905 thousand 033 tons of merchandise , which translated into a 4.7% drop compared to the previous year, according to data from the port authority.

In terms of container handling, the port handled 1,301,470 20-foot containers (TEU) last year, or 12.3% more than in 2023.

The new CICE terminal, awarded through a public tender, seeks to contribute to increasing the port’s capacity.

Its 22 hectares of surface area will have 550 linear meters of dock with 15 meters of draft, two berthing positions, a container yard with a static capacity of 13 thousand TEU and a dynamic capacity for handling more than 500 thousand TEU, a refrigerated container and dangerous cargo area, a warehouse of eight thousand square meters (m2), a multimodal yard with 1,970 meters of railway spur and a wastewater treatment plant, among others.

The first phase of operations is scheduled to begin in April 2025, marking the beginning of a new era for foreign trade in the region. The terminal, in addition to being a key point for maritime trade, will generate approximately 500 permanent direct jobs and more than 1,200 indirect jobs.

The project is financed with a syndicated loan for an amount of 4.15 billion pesos, with the participation of Mexican banks, including BanBajío (as agent bank), Banorte, Multiva, Bancomext, Bx+ and Monex, with the support of FIRA ; which represents one of the most ambitious construction projects in recent years in the state.

Grupo CICE, formed by a group of Mexican companies dedicated to the provision of port, logistics and land transportation services, was founded by 116 Mexican shareholders , whose experience as customs agents, shipping agents and in the transportation sector allowed them to lay the foundations for the formation of the group in Veracruz, Mexico, more than 30 years ago, in 1991.

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El cargo CICE Group, in the final stretch of its new terminal in Veracruz apareció primero en T21.